The Delta independent., 1887-06-14
A REFORMED GAMBLER.
Evangelist Forrest and His Peculiar
Work in San FrancInco,

Work in San Francisco.
Evangelist Ned Forests broadcloth
coat had not speck of dust upon it.
dis white four-in-hand scarf was ad-
justed TO a nicely around his .'cut- my
chin" collar, and his hair was banged
and plastered rs accurately rs vaseline
would stick it. when he began opera
tons on the souls of his very respect
able audience at the Central Methodist
Church last evening. The reformed
Bhort-card player was the central brill
liant in setting of smart young wom-
en- who sang moro or less, and five
gentlemen of various degrees of thick
uess, who formed the male portion of
the choir. The exhorter had the pull
pit moved to one side SO as to leave
the platform FREQ for his exasperated
motions. Tho audience was composed
mainly of tho male sex. the fairer half
of creation being 700 much mystilied
by the reformed gamblers technical
slang 10 appreciate his sallies, while
the men present affected the bald head
BY large majority. Forests verna-
cular frequently brought down the
house. his illusions to full hands"
and straight flushes," .blufiing."
''straddles." '.antes." and stocked
deals being thoroughly enjoyed and
apparently appreciated. A particu-
larly unique feature of the series OF
services is the absence of the collection
plate.
Out of regard for the convention
alitles. but evidently for no other rea-
son, Forrest selected a text Saved by
Hope" which he announced was to be
found in eighth Romans, oath verse,
and paid no further attention to.
The services were opened by sing
ing. which he started with the injunc-
ton TO the young lady in frizzes, who
played tho organ, to .'let her go!" And
she did "iet her CO." and the choir
''lct her 60" aud there was some
noise there or thercabouts.
"Glad to see so many of the boys
her" tonight" began the speaker. 81
feel that God called me unto the work
for the boys. When man of my age
has spent fifteen years going down
to hell and has been stopped. he owes
debt of gratitude. That's what l owe,
and l want to cash in.
Tonight 1 am not gong to talk to
cemeteries God only knows the So
crets of the graveyards. Scores that
lay out in Lone Mountain refused the
Lord. When the cask is screwed down
there is no chance for fellow. When
the crepe is hanged before the door you
can't cash your checks. Twice in my
life have laid at deaths door. once
with knife-wound and once with
"A that left a hole in my neck can
put my finger into"
1.-The revivalist described how par
son in sermon over drunkard' body
promised the wife and mother and
daughter to meet him in heaven"
''No. he went to hell!' cried the
evangelist. "a gambler don't want to
go to heaven. He'd have no one to
play game with"
The exlortcr here fell into lachr,
NOSE condition. during which he dealt in
considerable sentiment. and related the
story OF his own convention while deal
ing faro. He claimed to have been too
wicked for description. too low for the
imagination to grasp. and took huge
satisfaction in the picture of depravity
which lie presented.
But" he shouted, shifting the pull
pit mighty thwack. 'I've found n
game that pays. I've found hand
that wins every hour of my life; it's
hand no man can hold over. no man
can bluff me on. 1t is the hand God
dealt to me. and won't lay it down un-
til lay it down at the throne of God"
Tho converted gambler then depicted
girl initiated into game of cards in
home. and year later staggering up
the street.
Then, somewhat irrelevantly, he as
serted: "a gambler has heart as big
as u church. God bless and have mercy
on the gamblers of San francisco. The
only zine l ever held sure. good hand
that couldn't be done up hold now."
IA friend of mine helped plant in
Leadyille. There was man who held
MS big roll rs any man in Frisco.
found him lying dying from consump-
ton. 4 don't want to squeal at the
tail end of my life.' he said. That
isn't squealing,' said. So l found a
pnrson and set him to work on him.
We all got down on our knees. and
while we prayed he gasped. God. if
there's any such thing as mercy for
such a one as me, give it ter me-
MEN say they don't like such thing
as hell. Well. believe in straight.
regular, A No. hell. know feller
who was an infidel who dropped off a
boat into the r.ver. They got him up
and done the barrel act on him, and
he was fixed. when the first thing he
rays was, Thank Godr' Thought
you didn't believe in GodP' said duck
who stood by. That's Ill right said
the feller they fished up. 'Infidelty is
a good enough thing on top of the boat,
but pretty poor thing to 60 down on
TO keel with